Amber Hackett Appointed to Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners

Third Woman Appointed through the Women’s Foundation’s Appointment Project Since its Launch

Kansas City, MO – Mayor Sly James today appointed Amber Hackett to the Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners.  Hackett was nominated for the board appointment through the Women’s Foundation’s Appointment Project, which launched in April based on Women’s Foundation research conducted as part of the Mayor’s Women’s Empowerment Initiative to include more women in positions of leadership in city government.

Hackett has worked in the Kansas City nonprofit sector since 2011.  She is also a licensed attorney and an active community volunteer.  

“I’m pleased to announce Amber Hackett’s appointment to the Board of Parks and Recreation.  Her background in both the non-profit and legal sectors, combined with her dedication to our community, makes her a solid choice for this position.  A big thanks goes out to the Women’s Foundation for their leadership in nominating Ms. Hackett, further showcasing their commitment to building a stronger Kansas City,” said Mayor James.

Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation, said, “We are delighted our partnership with Mayor James’s office has led to another qualified and deserving woman being appointed to an important city position.  We have no doubt that Ms. Hackett will serve the City well on the Parks and Recreation Board.”  

Hackett is the third applicant through the Appointments Project to receive an appointment since its launch.  The Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The Women’s Foundation guides women through the process of applying for these positions and recommends applicants for appointment.   

“When women are asked, women serve; I’m a perfect example. I am honored and look forward to serving Kansas City on the Parks Board and am extremely grateful to the Women’s Foundation for their Appointments Project, an important initiative that is helping Mayor James’ office elevate women into more positions of leadership,” said Ms. Hackett on her appointment. “There are many qualified, trained women in our community who are perfect for board service, but are too often overlooked or not asked.   I hope my appointment is part of the spark that the Women’s Foundation and Mayor James have created to ignite continued success for Kansas City.” 

The Kansas City Parks and Recreation department maintains close to 12,000 acres of parkland including 220 parks, 134 miles of trails and bikeways, 29 lakes, 98 playgrounds, hundreds of athletic fields and tennis courts, ten community centers, five public golf courses, and six museums.  Miles of scenic boulevards and parkways crisscross the city, where 48 fountains and 117 memorials and sculptures surprise and delight. The Parks and Recreation department is governed by a volunteer five-member Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor. 

 The Women’s Foundation invests in the success of women and girls and is the only Kansas City-area organization addressing women’s issues as a whole, using research to identify the areas of greatest need, and targeting action and funding to make meaningful change to lift up women, their families, and entire communities.  

More information about the organization, its values, and programs can be found at womens-foundation.org

Summoning Ghosts: The Art of Hung Liu Opens at Kemper Museum

Summoning Ghosts: The Art of Hung Liu Opens at Kemper Museum

Women’s Foundation Partnership with Kemper Museum Helped Bring Important Woman Artist’s Work to Kansas City 

Kansas City, MO –Summoning Ghosts: The Art of Hung Liu opened Friday at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.  The Women’s Foundation partnered with the Kemper Museum to help bring this work of Hung Liu, one of the most significant Chinese-American contemporary artists living today, to Kansas City.

“The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is honored to partner with the Women’s Foundation in their mission to build a culture of philanthropy in support of personal empowerment,” said Barbara O’Brien, Executive Director of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. “Hung Liu, the artist whose paintings are featured in the Kemper Museum’s current exhibition, Summoning Ghosts: The Art of Hung Liu, is the perfect embodiment of a woman who has taken charge of her life in order to reach personal success. As an immigrant, an educator, an artist, and an activist for the rights of girls and women across the globe, Hung Liu sets a standard of excellence that can inspire the entire Kansas City community.”

“Women artists have historically been underrepresented in museum exhibitions nationwide.  Thus, we are especially pleased to partner with the Kemper Museum to bring the work of Hung Liu, an important contemporary artist – who also happens to be a woman – to the Kansas City community,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation.  “We’re confident Hung Liu’s unique perspective that speaks through her art will inspire thought, and open minds, about women’s issues and empowerment.”

A retrospective, the exhibition Summoning Ghosts: The Art of Hung Liu explores
Hung Liu’s life and career through approximately 60 works of art from private and public collections,  including two signature works from the Kemper Museum’s Permanent Collection. Organized by Oakland Museum of Contemporary Art’s Senior Curator of Art, René de Guzman, the exhibition is accompanied by a major publication that provides the most comprehensive account of Liu’s body of work to date.  Summoning Ghosts: The Art of Hung Liu is on view now through January 11, 2015, at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, Missouri.  A collection of rare photographs, and early paintings, all made in China prior to Liu’s immigration to the United States in 1984 will be displayed in the Kemper East gallery. Admission to all Kemper Museum locations
is free.

The Women’s Foundation invests in the success of women and girls and is the only Kansas City-area organization addressing women’s issues as a whole, using research to identify the areas of greatest need, and targeting action and funding to make meaningful change to lift up women, their families, and entire communities. 

Women’s Foundation Honored by Cottey College

WOMEN’S FOUNDATION HONORED BY COTTEY COLLEGE FOR ITS LEADERSHIP IN EMPOWERING WOMEN

Women’s Foundation Awarded “Women Going Places Award”

Kansas City, MO – The Women’s Foundation was presented the “Women Going Places Award” Thursday night by Cottey College, one of the nation’s leading women’s liberal arts colleges.

The “Women Going Place Award” recognizes individuals or organizations that have positively affected the lives of women through personal, professional, or philanthropic efforts.  Dr. Judy Rogers, President of Cottey College, presented this award to Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation at a special President’s Reception at Webster House.

“This award recognizes outstanding individuals or organizations that exemplify women’s scholarship, leadership or citizenship.  The Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City has supported women in many significant ways and also helped women leaders and role models network and mentor other women,” said Dr. Judy Rogers, President of Cottey College.  “We are excited to honor the Women’s Foundation for their contribution to social change and their initiatives designed specifically to narrow the gender/leadership gap on behalf of women.”

“We are deeply honored by Cottey College’s recognition of our work to help empower women and girls, particularly because we so admire Cottey’s innovative efforts towards advancing women’s leadership,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “This recognition strengthens our resolve and our dedication to making meaningful change for women, their families and their communities.”

The Women’s Foundation invests in the success of women and girls and is the only Kansas City-area organization addressing women’s issues as a whole, using research to identify the areas of greatest need and targeting action and funding to make meaningful change to lift up women, their families and entire communities.  More information about the organization, its values and programs can be found at womens-foundation.org

Female Scientists Who “Lean In” at Work Tend to Leave

There is a new push for women to “Lean in” at their workplace to make themselves more marketable and  climb the corporate ladder.  However in a few male dominated industries such as science, tech, engineering and math, “leaning in” isn’t the problem.  Due to unfriendly job environments, women who receive their degrees in these field are unlikely to remain working in these industries for long.  For example, of the women who earn an engineering degree, 40% leave their jobs prematurely or never apply for jobs in their field in the first place.

To read more Click Here

 

Women business owners face gender gap, report says

A congressional report released Wednesday shows women are still far behind their male counterparts when it comes to getting loans and government contracts. The report by the Senate Small Business and Entrepenership Committee found that businesses owned by women account for 30 percent of small companies, however they recieve only 4.4 percent of the total dollars in conventional small-business loans, which amounts for $1 for every $23 loaned.

To read more: Click Here

 

Women’s Foundation on 41 Action News

Today  Wendy Doyle, CEO of the Women’s Foundation was interviewed along with Cecelia M. Carter, the first appointee from the Appointments Project about their tips on being successful, and about how to get women more  involved in civic roles.  The Appointments Project works in conjunction with the Mayor’s office to help women locate and apply for civic boards and committees.

To See the video: Click Here

For More information about the appointments project:Click Here.

 

Whats Up Kansas City!

Wendy Doyle the CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City was recently interviewed by WhatsUpKansasCity about the history of the Women’s Foundation as well as upcoming eventsand the success of the Appointments Project.  A big thanks goes out to them for taking the time to meet with us.

Visit WhatsUpKansasCity.net for more great interviews with business, civic, and community leaders about some of the current issues facing Kansas City.